Bob STEPHENS Obituary

I knew Bob as a runner and he was a great rival of mine. He was always very cheerful and supportive of other runners, but in races no quarter was given. I first met him in the early 1980s at the Dorne Cup and we later competed against each other in scores of inter-club events, marathons and half marathons. He usually beat me, but occasionally I had my day. About 15 years ago in the exhausting run from Days Bay, along the waterfront, up on to the hills above the harbour and back down to Days Bay I beat him! Afterwards he said I'll keep running this year until someone older that me beats me! He asked me my age and then decided he would keep going! I had many great races and conversations with Bob and he will be sorely missed.
He "can" truly reflect the words from Timothy "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
Roger Childs, Kapiti Harriers

Dear Alison and family
What a great send-off for Bob today. So many people speaking humorously and affectionately about him. As always, it was the family memories that were the best, but the tributes to him as a runner, a tramper, and an academic were admiring and affectionate. I can claim to have known Bob in all three roles. I appreciated the memories particularly of running days. I remember some crazy Sunday runs with Bob, Dan, Howard, and Ray, all over the hills beyond Karori. But as a colleague of his at Vic I was particularly chuffed that Charles Waldegrave paid tribute to his work on poverty, where he made a real contribution with his research to policy in two governments. Colleen and I send our love and sympathy to all the family.

Says it all. The last Vosseler - 2017. Bob beat me - I wasn't nearly so knackered. Wonderful mate and friend over the years.

To the Stephens family
Please accept my sincere condolences.
In sympathy
Iraj Tavassoli